Brewer says AZ has new “education reform initiative,” so it must be true

by David Safier

Cutting funds from K-12 schools and slashing funds to higher ed are not on the list of items in Brewer's "educational reform initiative." But Brewer's office put out a glowing announcement about the progress we're sure to see over the next few years.

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the formal launch of Arizona’s Education Reform Plan, which is the implementation strategy for Arizona’s Race to the Top application and forms the basis of the Governor’s Education Reform Policy Agenda.

“For the first time we have a solid education reform plan that not only contains real goals, but a thoughtful roadmap for achievement,” said Governor Brewer. “This plan provides a coherent and aggressive framework for accomplishing true education reform as well as the opportunity to change education in Arizona in a way that will help all of our students. I am so grateful for the work and dedication of the P-20 Council, led by Dr. Carol Peck. I applaud its continuing desire to improve academic achievement in Arizona.”

Uh huh. Good. Real goals. A thoughtful roadmap for achievement.

How are we gonna do it? The release doesn't say, though Huppenthal says he looks forward "to working with the Governor on developing policies which move Arizona’s education system forward in a meaningful way." The statement makes it clear, Hupp doesn't really know what the plan is either.

But goals? Yeah, they got goals. Like having students be better readers and increasing NAEP scores and increasing high school graduation rates and doubling the number of students who receive bachelor's degrees.

I'm sure the "implementation plan" will be coming soon. Though maybe all we need to do is believe and clap our hands real hard. After all, it worked for Tinkerbell.